Intro:
Bardendrum is a hybrid between Barkeria and Epidendrum (reed stem types). This then is a back cross to Barkeria cyclotella. The plants grow more vertically and stand about 20 inches to two feet tall when mature. The flower spikes emerge from the top of the growth and produce many inch to 2 inch purple flowers with yellow in the lip. This plant is easy to grow and quite forgiving. It can bloom for as long as 4 to 6 months.
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Light:
Medium light with 1,500 to 3,000 foot-candles being best. East South or West windows are ideal. This plant will also do well out of doors during the summer months and can be grown under artificial lights such as high pressure sodium fixtures.
P.L. Lights systems are a great way to provide artificial light to your orchids. See our P.L. Lights page for more information on this great product we offer.
Temperature:
Intermediate temperatures with days in the low 70’s to High 80’s and nights in the low 60’s to upper 50’s. We have tested this plant in many temperature ranges and have found it to thrive in cool, intermediate and warm conditions.
Humidity:
50 percent or higher is ideal. If grown In lower humidity try to maintain the upper 20 to 30 percent humidity ratings as a minimum, Water more frequently in lower humidity conditions.
The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial.
We offer two products that can help increase humidity levels. The humidity tray offered in black or white, and the Mist Maker. Please click on the underlined text for more information on these products.
Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water when the mix approaches dryness when in flower or spike otherwise allow the mix to become just dry between watering.
Overwatering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium. One product we offer that can help these problems if caught at an early stage is Phyton 27 bactericide and fungicide.
Fertilizer:
Use
GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.
We highly recommend
Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water.
Other fertilizers offered are as follows: GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula) and GrowMore 20-6-16 (Tropical plant food with calcium and magnesium additives).
Flowering:
This plant flowers mostly in the fall through winter months but can bloom later towards spring as well. The flowers are long lasting and spikes have lasted for 4-6 months in our nursery. Never cut the spikes if they remain green because they can sometimes side branch and produce more flowers. The flowers are an inch or two in size and are colored in lavender with yellow in the lip.
Repotting:
Repot in the spring months or whenever new growth begins. Use a clay pot and a medium bark mix for best results.
We offer several different types of potting medium. Here are direct links to what we believe to be some of the best potting mediums available for orchids: Orchids Limited bark mix, New Zealand sphagnum moss, coco husk, coco peat, sponge rock,charcoal, tree fern fiber, osmunda fiber and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.
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